Product Dispenser and Shelf Assembly

ABSTRACT

A product dispenser and shelf assembly including a shelf having laterally opposed first and second side members and a number of lateral members extending between the first and second side members, and a product dispenser frame positioned on the shelf, the product dispenser frame having a front end longitudinally opposed from a rear end, the product dispenser frame having a container support deck extending at least partially between the front and rear ends and a lower support deck positioned below the container support deck, the lower support deck extending at least partially between the front and rear ends, and defining a product display area, wherein at least one of the lateral members is positioned below the front end of the product dispenser frame.

FIELD

This application relates to product dispensing and, more particularly, to systems and methods for displaying and dispensing products to consumers.

BACKGROUND

Products are typically shipped to retailers in bulk by enclosing multiple individual product units in a container, such as a carton or box. For example, canned foods may be shipped to a retailer in a box containing twenty-four individual cans. Then, it is typically the retailer's obligation to remove the individual product units from the container and present them on a display, such as a shelf, where the products may be retrieved by consumers.

Alternatives to the traditional package-ship-unpack-display model have been developed in an effort to improve operating efficiency. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,922,437 discloses a product dispensing system that includes a dispenser having a support structure, a product display area and an opening tool. The dispenser may be positioned on a retailer's shelf and loaded with product simply by placing a container comprising multiple units of product onto the support structure of the dispenser. As the container is being placed onto the support structure, the opening tool of the dispenser opens the container in such a manner that product rolls from the container and down to the product display area of the dispenser under the force of gravity.

Thus, product dispensers may include a product display area from which consumers may easily retrieve products. When one product is removed from the product display area, another product in the dispenser moves to the product display area under the force of gravity. Therefore, consumers may retrieve multiple products from a single product dispenser.

Furthermore, multiple product dispensers may be positioned on a single display. In one example, each product dispenser may be loaded with a different product, thereby presenting the consumer with various product options. In another example, each product dispenser may be loaded with the same product, such as a product that is in high demand.

Despite advances already made, those skilled in the art continue with research and development efforts in the field of product dispensing.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, the disclosed product dispenser and shelf assembly may include a shelf having laterally opposed first and second side members and a plurality of lateral members extending between the first and second side members, and a product dispenser frame positioned on the shelf, the product dispenser frame having a front end longitudinally opposed from a rear end, wherein at least one of the lateral members is positioned below the front end of the product dispenser frame.

In another embodiment, the disclosed product dispenser and shelf assembly may include a shelf having laterally opposed first and second side members and a number of lateral members extending between the first and second side members, and a product dispenser frame positioned on the shelf, the product dispenser frame having a front end longitudinally opposed from a rear end, the product dispenser frame having a container support deck extending at least partially between the front and rear ends and a lower support deck positioned below the container support deck, the lower support deck extending at least partially between the front and rear ends, and defining a product display area, wherein at least one of the lateral members is positioned below the front end of the product dispenser frame.

In yet another embodiment, the disclosed product dispenser and shelf assembly may include a shelf having laterally opposed first and second side members, a first lateral member extending between the first and second side members, a third lateral member extending between the first and second side members, the third lateral member being substantially parallel with the first lateral member, and a second lateral member positioned between the first lateral member and the third lateral member, the second lateral member extending between the first and second side members, and a product dispenser frame positioned on the shelf, the product dispenser frame having a front end longitudinally opposed from a rear end, wherein the third lateral member is positioned below the front end of the product dispenser frame.

Other embodiments of the disclosed product dispenser and shelf assembly will become apparent from the following detailed description, the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front and side perspective view of one embodiment of the disclosed product dispenser and shelf assembly;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the product dispenser and shelf assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front and side perspective view of the shelf of the product dispenser and shelf assembly of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the product dispenser of the product dispenser and shelf assembly of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, one embodiment of the disclosed product dispenser and shelf assembly, generally designated 10, may include a shelf 12 and a product dispenser 14. The product dispenser 14 may be support on, and releasably coupled to, the shelf 12. While only one product dispenser 14 is shown in the drawings, those skilled in the art will appreciate that multiple product dispensers may be positioned on the shelf 12, such as in a side-by-side arrangement.

Thus, the disclosed product dispenser and shelf assembly 10 may be used to safely and securely display and dispense products 16 (FIG. 2) to consumers. For example, the product dispenser and shelf assembly 10 may be placed in a retail setting, such as a grocery store, to display and dispense products 16 to consumers.

Referring to FIG. 3, the shelf 12 may include a first (right) side member 18, a second (left) side member 20, a first lateral member 22, a second lateral member 24 and a third lateral member 26. Optionally, the shelf 12 may additionally include one or more longitudinal reinforcement members 28.

The right side member 18 may be generally parallel with, and laterally opposed from, the left side member 20. The lateral spacing between the right and left side members 18, 20 may define the lateral width W of the shelf 12. As one example, the lateral width W of the shelf 12 may be sufficient to receive one product dispenser 14 between the right and left side members 18, 20. As another example, the lateral width W of the shelf 12 may be sufficient to receive two or more product dispensers 14 between the right and left side members 18, 20.

The right side member 18 may longitudinally extend between a front end 30 and a rear end 32 to define the depth D of the shelf 12. A first coupling member 34 may be connected proximate (i.e., at or near) the rear end 32 of the right side member 18 to facilitate coupling the shelf 12 to a support structure 36 (FIG. 2), such as a wall, a backboard, a post or the like. Optionally, a first stop 38 may be connected to (or integral with) the right side member 18 between the front and rear ends 30, 32 to inhibit outward lateral movement of product dispensers 14 supported on the shelf 12.

Likewise, the left side member 20 may longitudinally extend between a front end 40 and a rear end 42 to define the depth D of the shelf 12. A second coupling member 44 may be connected proximate the rear end 42 of the left side member 20 to facilitate coupling the shelf 12 to the support structure 36 (FIG. 2). Optionally, a second stop 46 may be connected to (or integral with) the left side member 20 between the front and rear ends 40, 42 to inhibit outward lateral movement of product dispensers 14 supported on the shelf 12.

Thus, the shelf 12 may be connected to the support structure 36 (FIG. 2) by engaging the support structure 36 with the first and second coupling members 34, 44. For example, the support structure 36 may include recesses or slots sized and shaped to closely receive the first and second coupling members 34, 44, thereby allowing the first and second coupling members 34, 44 to securely engage the support structure 36.

While the first and second coupling members 34, 44 are shown in FIG. 3 as hook-like coupling members (specifically four vertically spaced hook-like coupling members), those skilled in the art will appreciate that various coupling members may be used to couple the shelf 12 to the support structure 36 (FIG. 2) without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Various hooks, pegs, pins, latches and the like are contemplated as being suitable first and second coupling members 34, 44.

The first lateral member 22 may include a first end 50 connected to the right side member 18 and a second end 52 connected to the left side member 20 such that the first lateral member 22 generally laterally extends between the right and left side members 18, 20. The first lateral member 22 may be connected proximate the rear ends 32, 42 of the right and left side members 18, 20. Optionally, the first lateral member 22 may be slightly elevated relative to the second and third lateral members 24, 26.

The first lateral member 22 may have a generally square cross-sectional profile, which may enhance the structural integrity of the shelf 12 and may closely correspond to the configuration of the product dispenser 14, as is described in greater detail herein. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various cross-sectional profiles may be used for the first lateral member 22 without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

The third lateral member 26 may be generally parallel with the first lateral member 22, and may include a first end 54 connected to the right side member 18 and a second end 56 connected to the left side member 20. Therefore, the third lateral member 26 may generally laterally extend between the right side member 18 and the left side member 20. The third lateral member 26 may be connected proximate the front ends 30, 40 of the right and left side members 18, 20.

The third lateral member 26 may have a generally thin, flat cross-sectional profile, which may enhance the structural integrity of the shelf 12, while minimizing the profile of the third lateral member 26 and providing a substantially flat surface 25 upon which the product dispenser 14 may be positioned. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various cross-sectional profiles may be used for the third lateral member 26 without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

The second lateral member 24 may be generally parallel with the first and third lateral members 22, 26, and may include a first end 58 connected to the right side member 18 and a second end 60 connected to the left side member 20. Therefore, the second lateral member 24 may generally laterally extend between the right side member 18 and the left side member 20. The second lateral member 24 may be connected to the right and left side members 18, 20 between the first lateral member 22 and the third lateral member 26.

The second lateral member 24 may have a generally L-shaped cross-sectional profile, which may enhance the structural integrity of the shelf 12, while providing a substantially flat surface 23 upon which the product dispenser 14 may be positioned. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various cross-sectional profiles may be used for the second lateral member 24 without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

The longitudinal reinforcement member 28 may be positioned between the right and left side members 18, 20 and may be generally parallel with the right and left side members. The longitudinal reinforcement member 28 may be connected to the first lateral member 22, the second lateral member 24 and the third lateral member 26 to structurally reinforce the shelf 12. It is also contemplated that the longitudinal reinforcement member 28 may be connected to only two of the three lateral members 22, 24, 26.

The shelf 12 may be constructed from various materials, including wood, wood composites, metals, polymeric materials and combinations of suitable materials. The side members 18, 20 and the lateral members 22, 24, 26 may be connected together using various techniques, such as with welds, fasteners and/or adhesives. However, it is also contemplated that the shelf 12 may be constructed as a single monolithic (integral) body.

Referring to FIG. 4, a product dispenser 14 of the disclosed product dispenser and shelf assembly 10 may include a product dispenser frame 70 and a product container 72. The product container 72 may house multiple units of product 16 capable of rolling about a rolling axis, such as cans (e.g., canned food), jars (e.g., jarred sauce) or bottles (e.g., bottled soft drinks).

Thus, when the product container 72 is loaded onto the frame 70, such as by urging the product container 72 along the frame 70, the frame 70 may automatically open the product container 72 and release the products 16 from the product container 72 to the frame 70, as shown in FIG. 2. The use of product dispensers 14 that require manually opening the product container 72 prior to loading the product container 72 onto the frame 70 is also contemplated.

The product container 72 may be any container capable of housing products 16 and beneficially interacting with the frame 70 to release and guide the products 16 to the frame 70. For example, the product container 72 may be a paperboard carton or a corrugated box. Optionally, at least one major surface of the product container 72 may be marked with various indicia, such as advertising text and/or graphics.

The frame 70 may have a longitudinal length L that may closely correspond to the depth D (FIG. 3) of the shelf 12. The frame 70 may include a first (right) side wall 74 (FIG. 1), a second (left) side wall 76, a lower support deck 78 and an upper support deck 80. The right side wall 74 may be laterally spaced from the left side wall 76, and may be generally parallel with the left side wall 76.

The lower support deck 78 may laterally extend between the right and left side walls 74, 76, and may include a front end 82 that longitudinally extends toward the front end 84 of the frame 70 and a rear end 86 that longitudinally extends toward the rear end 88 of the frame 70. Therefore, the lower support deck 78 and the side walls 74, 76 may define a lower level 90 of the frame 70.

The lower support deck 78 may be inclined from the front end 82 to the rear end 86 such that products 16 deposited proximate the rear end 86 of the lower support deck 78 roll down to the front end 82 of the lower support deck 78 under the force of gravity. A stop 92 may be positioned proximate the front end 82 of the lower support deck 78 to prevent products 16 from rolling beyond the front end 82 of the lower support deck 78. For example, the stop 92 may be connected to (e.g., integral with) the lower support deck 78, and may form an upward curve at the front end 82 of the lower support deck 78. Therefore, the stop 92 may collect products 16 at the front end 82 of the lower support deck 78, thereby defining a product display area 94 at the front end 82 of the lower support deck 78.

The upper support deck 80 may laterally extend between the right and left side walls 74, 76, and may include a front end 96 that longitudinally extends toward the front end 84 of the frame 70 and a rear end 98 that longitudinally extends toward, but not to, the rear end 88 of the frame 70. Therefore, the upper support deck 80 and the side walls 74, 76 may define an upper level 100 of the frame 70.

The spacing 102 between the rear end 98 of the upper support deck 80 and the rear end 88 of the frame 70 may define an opening 104, which may function as a chute to allow products 16 to move from the upper level 100 down to the lower level 90 of the frame 70 under the force of gravity.

The upper support deck 80 may be declined from the front end 96 to the rear end 98. Therefore, products 16 supported on the upper support deck 80 may roll under the force of gravity down to the rear end 98 of the upper support deck 80, through the opening 104, to the lower level 90 of the frame 70 and, ultimately, to the product display area 94. Consumers may then retrieve products 16 from the product display area 94.

The frame 70 may further include an opening tool 106. The opening tool 106 may be positioned in the upper level 100 of the frame 70 to sever the product container 72 as the product container 72 is urged generally horizontally along the upper support deck 80 toward the rear end 88 of the frame 70. By severing the product container 72, the opening tool 106 may form an exit opening in the product container 72, which may be aligned with the opening 104 in the frame 70 when the product container 72 is fully loaded onto the frame 70. With the exit opening formed in the product container 72, the products 16 initially housed in the product container 72 may exit the product container 72 through the exit opening, pass through the opening 104 defined by the frame 70 and drop down to the lower level 90 of the frame 70 and, ultimately, move to the product display area 94.

Product dispensers, as well as opening tools for automatically opening product containers as they are being loaded onto dispenser frames, are discussed in greater detail in U.S. Pat. No. 7,922,437 (issued Apr. 12, 2011), the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/306,196 (filed Nov. 29, 2011), the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

The frame 70 of the product dispenser 14 may define a shelf engagement notch 110 that laterally extends across the frame 70. The shelf engagement notch 110 may be formed in the side walls 74, 76 of the frame 70 (proximate the underside 112 of the frame 70), and may be positioned between the front and rear ends 84, 88 of the frame 70.

At this point, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the shelf engagement notch 110 may be sized and shaped to closely receive at least a portion of the second lateral member 24 of the shelf 12 therein, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, to inhibit longitudinal movement of the product dispenser 14 relative to the shelf 12.

A shelf engagement member 120 may be connected to the frame 70 proximate the rear end 88 of the frame 70. The shelf engagement member 120 may include a first, hook member 122 and a second, horizontal member 124. The hook member 122 may protrude outward from the rear end 88 of the frame 70, and may include a hooking portion 126. The horizontal member 124 may also protrude outward from the rear end 88 of the frame 70 below the hook member 122, and may define a vertical gap 128 between the hook member 122 and the horizontal member 124. The vertical gap 128 may laterally extend across at least a portion of the lateral width of the frame 70. The longitudinal spacing 130 between the rear-most end of the horizontal member 124 and the hooking portion 126 of the hook member 122 may provide access to the vertical gap 128.

At this point, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the vertical gap 128 may be sized and shaped to closely receive the first lateral member 22 of the shelf 12 therein, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, to inhibit vertical movement of the product dispenser 14 relative to the shelf 12. Furthermore, the longitudinal spacing 130 between the horizontal member 124 and the hooking portion 126 may be sufficient to allow the first lateral member 22 to pass therethrough and move to the vertical gap 128. Still furthermore, the hooking portion 126 of the hook member 122 may inhibit removal of the first lateral member 22 from the vertical gap 128.

The product dispenser 14 may be mounted to the shelf 12 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Multiple product dispensers (not shown) may be arranged in a side-by-side configuration across the shelf 12.

The product dispenser 14 may be mounted to the shelf 12 such that the first lateral member 22 of the shelf 12 is received in the vertical gap 128 of the shelf engagement member 120 of the product dispenser 14 and the second lateral member 24 of the shelf 12 is received in the shelf engagement notch 110 of the frame 70 of the product dispenser 14. Therefore, vertical movement of the product dispenser 14 relative to the shelf 12 may be inhibited by the first lateral member 22 and horizontal movement of the product dispenser 14 relative to the shelf 12 may be inhibited by the second lateral member 24. The first lateral member 22 may also inhibit some horizontal movement.

Thus, the first and second lateral members 22, 24 may facilitate a secure, locking engagement of the product dispenser 14 with the shelf 12. Separation of the product dispenser 14 from the shelf 12 may require a precise motion (e.g., slightly lifting the front end 84 of the frame 70, while pulling the front end 84 forward). Therefore, the engagement of the product dispenser 14 with the shelf 12 may serve as a theft deterrent.

Furthermore, with the product dispenser 14 engaged with the first and second lateral members 22, 24 of the shelf 12, the third lateral member 26 of the shelf 12 may be positioned below the front end 84 of the frame 70 of the product dispenser 14. Therefore, the third lateral member 26 may apply a reactive force (arrow F) to the front end 84 of the frame 70 to provide vertical strength and stability to the product dispenser and shelf assembly 10. Such additional vertical support proximate the front end 84 of the frame 70 may be particularly advantageous when additional weight is applied to the front end 84 of the frame 70, such as when heavy products 16 are being dispensed and/or when a customer (intentionally or unintentionally) applies a force to the front end 84 of the frame 70.

Although various embodiments of the disclosed product dispenser and shelf assembly have been shown and described, modifications may occur to those skilled in the art upon reading the specification. The present application includes such modifications and is limited only by the scope of the claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A product dispenser and shelf assembly comprising: a shelf comprising: laterally opposed first and second side members; and a plurality of lateral members extending between said first and second side members; and a product dispenser frame positioned on at least a portion of said shelf, said product dispenser frame having a front end longitudinally opposed from a rear end, wherein at least one lateral member of said plurality of lateral members is positioned below said front end of said product dispenser frame.
 2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein another lateral member of said plurality of lateral members is engaged with said product dispenser frame to inhibit longitudinal movement of said product dispenser frame relative to said shelf.
 3. The assembly of claim 1 wherein another lateral member of said plurality of lateral members is engaged with said product dispenser frame to inhibit vertical movement of said product dispenser frame relative to said shelf.
 4. A product dispenser and shelf assembly comprising: a shelf comprising: laterally opposed first and second side members; and a plurality of lateral members extending between said first and second side members; and a product dispenser frame positioned on at least a portion of said shelf, said product dispenser frame having a front end longitudinally opposed from a rear end, said product dispenser frame comprising: a container support deck extending at least partially between said front end and said rear end; and a lower support deck positioned below said container support deck, said lower support deck extending at least partially between said front end and said rear end, and defining a product display area, wherein at least one lateral member of said plurality of lateral members is positioned below said front end of said product dispenser frame.
 5. The assembly of claim 4 wherein said plurality of lateral members comprises a first lateral member, a second lateral member and a third lateral member, wherein said third lateral member is positioned below said front end of said product dispenser frame.
 6. The assembly of claim 5 wherein said product dispenser frame defines a shelf engagement notch, and wherein said second lateral member is at least partially received in said shelf engagement notch.
 7. The assembly of claim 6 wherein said second lateral member inhibits longitudinal movement of said product dispenser frame relative to said shelf.
 8. The assembly of claim 5 wherein said product dispenser frame comprises a shelf engagement member comprising a first member and a second member, and wherein said first lateral member is positioned at least partially between said first member and said second member.
 9. The assembly of claim 8 wherein said shelf engagement member inhibits vertical movement of said product dispenser frame relative to said shelf.
 10. The assembly of claim 8 wherein said first member comprises a hooked portion.
 11. The assembly of claim 4 further comprising a product container positioned on said container support deck.
 12. The assembly of claim 11 wherein said product container initially comprises a plurality of products, and wherein at least one product of said plurality of products is moved to said product display area when said container is positioned on said container support deck.
 13. The assembly of claim 11 further comprising an opening tool associated with said product dispenser frame.
 14. The assembly of claim 13 wherein said opening tool is positioned to open said product container as said product container is moved longitudinally along said container support deck.
 15. The assembly of claim 4 wherein each of said first and second side members of said shelf comprises a coupling member connected thereto.
 16. The assembly of claim 4 wherein said shelf is connected to a support structure.
 17. A product dispenser and shelf assembly comprising: a shelf comprising: laterally opposed first and second side members; a first lateral member extending between said first and second side members; a third lateral member extending between said first and second side members, said third lateral member being substantially parallel with said first lateral member; and a second lateral member positioned between said first lateral member and said third lateral member, said second lateral member extending between said first and second side members; and a product dispenser frame positioned on at least a portion of said shelf, said product dispenser frame having a front end longitudinally opposed from a rear end, wherein said third lateral member is positioned below said front end of said product dispenser frame.
 18. The assembly of claim 17 wherein said first lateral member is engaged with said product dispenser frame to inhibit vertical movement of said product dispenser frame relative to said shelf.
 19. The assembly of claim 17 wherein said second lateral member is engaged with said product dispenser frame to inhibit longitudinal movement of said product dispenser frame relative to said shelf.
 20. The assembly of claim 17 wherein said product dispenser frame comprises: a container support deck extending at least partially between said front end and said rear end; and a lower support deck positioned below said container support deck, said lower support deck extending at least partially between said front end and said rear end, and defining a product display area. 